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In contrast to several senior British politicians – including the prime minister, David Cameron
– who have called for the Guardian to be investigated over reporting of
the Snowden leaks, Berners-Lee sees the news organisation and Snowden
as having acted in the public interest.

"Whistleblowers, and
responsible media outlets that work with them, play an important role in
society. We need powerful agencies to combat criminal activity online –
but any powerful agency needs checks and balances and, based on recent
revelations, it seems the current system of checks and balances has
failed," he said.

…

He also criticised the cracking of encryption on ethical grounds:
"Any democratic country has to take the high road; it has to live by its
principles. I'm very sympathetic to attempts to increase security
against organised crime, but you have to distinguish yourself from the
criminal."

…

"Civilisation has to a certain extent depended on whistleblowers, and therefore you have to protect them," Berners-Lee said.